Sjögren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that reduces the amount of tears in the eyes and saliva in the mouth.Immune cells mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells in the glands that produce tears and saliva. As a result, people with Sjögren’s syndrome have dry mouth and dry eyes.
Sjögren’s syndrome affects 1 – 4 million people in the United States and occurs in all races and ethnicities.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome are:
- Dry mouth. Your tongue and your throat will feel dry and chewing and swallowing may be difficult or painful.
- Dry eyes. Your eyes may burn or itch or feel as if you have a piece of sand in your eye. Vision may be blurry or you could be bothered by bright light.
Sjögren’s syndrome can also affect other parts of the body, causing symptoms such as:
- Joint and muscle pain
- Dry skin
- Rashes on the skin of hands or feet
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Vaginal dryness
- Dry cough that doesn’t go away
- Fatigue that doesn’t go away
If you have Sjögren’s syndrome you may only have mild symptoms of dry eyes and mouth, or you could experience cycles of mild symptoms followed by more severe symptoms.
Diagnosis
A doctor diagnoses Sjögren’s syndrome using your medical history, a physical exam, and the results from clinical or laboratory tests. Depending on what the doctor finds during the medical history and physical exam, he or she may want you to take more tests or refer you to a specialist.
Treatment
There is still no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome. Treatment can vary from person to person, depending on what parts of the body are affected. Moisture replacement therapies such as eye drops and ointments may relieve dryness in the eyes. There are saliva substitutes and prescription drugs to help increase saliva production. Simply drinking small sips of water regularly throughout the day may also help. If you have joint pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may offer some relief. If symptoms are severe, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs may be prescribed.
